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Native American Women Warriors Receive Mainstream National Coverage on CBS

Vincent Schilling

1/21/13

The Native American Women Warriors, an all Native American women’s color guard, consisting of female veterans from all branches of service, have received National and mainstream media coverage on their participation in the 2013 Inaugural festivities.

Over the past week, CBS and other news organizations have followed the NAWW group as they have made their way to Washington D.C. to participate specifically in the American Indian Society Inaugural Ball and Powwow and the Inauguration Parade of re-elected President Barack Obama.

The story will air at 6 p.m. EST on the CBS Evening News and will be the last story of the evening highlighted their week’s activities.

According to CBS correspondent Byron Pitts, “We were looking for a story to do about a group participating in the inaugural parade and the Native American women warriors seemed to be a perfect fit. It is a story that probably most Americans didn't know. I think one of my lines in the story was, "all of them have different stories of struggle that led to great success."

After meeting with and interviewing the group Pitts said the NAWW were women of distinction. Including the groups leader’s Mitchelene Bigman a former U.S. Army Sergeant First Class and former U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Julia Kelly.

In the two years since the inception of the group, they have traveled all over the U.S. They were in the 91st Annual NYC Veterans Day parade of 2010 and presented the colors as part of the “Band of Pride Tribute” in Times Square while in regalia in 2011. Most recently, the group appeared at the White House for the National Tribal Summit on December 5th.

“I thought all of the women were incredibly impressive in their own right because of their service to our nation, because of their humility and graciousness with us, which was impressive. During the event itself, I found it very moving and there is a tremendous sense of family and pride that I think regardless of one's culture, anyone can appreciate the strength and conviction that existed in that room,” he said.

“I think in their story, and within the story of these Native American women is a wonderful American story,” said Pitts. “We were looking for a place to tell that.”

The story, which runs tonight, will show footage of the American Indian Society’s 2013 Inaugural Ball and Powwow and footage of their participation in the 2o13 Inaugural Parade.

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I appreciate Vincent Schilling's sensitive and well written article here on NAWW. It is about time that Native American Women Warriors receive the honor and acknowledgements they deserve and I am excited to see this footage tonight on CBS.

I saw this whole story on the 630 CBS News, and it was AWESOME!!!! This story should be re-played over again on ALL TV STATIONS and a story should be done on the HISTORY CHANNEL so that EVERYONE will know about this!!

Thank you CBS (I have always loved you) for showing, following, and understanding the story of the wonderful & beautiful native women. Their story has been needed to be told. Also, if you find it in your heart to start finding
the unique and wonderful and gripping stories the men have to offer in the future.
Thank you once again CBS. Good job.

From us Ogiichidag Ikwe(Warrior Women) here on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota, we are so proud of these Women. In this 21st Century, we are all one People. Miigwetch(thanks) Victoria Irons Graves, Kim Pemberton Kingbird